In the Nineteenth Century, and still a bit to this day, infants and adults who need nourishment after a prolonged illness, basically were fed the same food. So, baby food was often marketed as being for “Infants and Invalids.” One of the first such packaged foods was produced by Mellin’s Food of the Doliber-Goodale Co. of Boston.
Here’s a trade card for their product from 1892. The front shows a rosy-cheeked tot playing between blue and rust draperies embellished the a Greek key pattern. The child is clearly well-fed, no doubt, thanks to Mellin’s Food for Infants and Invalids.
Lightly-printed text on the lower left corner reads:
Good morning,
Mamma!
I want my
MELLIN’S FOOD
Sure you do, kid. I’m sure it was delicious.
I’ll bet the back makes some very reasonable claims. Let’s see…
MELLIN’S FOOD
FOR
Infants and Invalids
Infants fed on MELLIN’S FOOD are strong,
healthy, and sunny-tempered; they have
firm muscles and strong bones. Its good
effects are lasting and are seen in robust
health all through childhood. Once used in
a family, it is always used. It is the best
food for infants, and for Growing Chil-
dren, Dyspeptics, Invalids, Convalescents,
and the Ages.
Our book for the Instruction of Mothers,
“THE CARE AND FEEDING OF INFANTS,”
will be mailed to any address, upon
request.
DOLIBER-GOODALE COMPANY,
41 Central Wharf, Boston, Mass.
Copyright 1892, Doliber-Goodale Co.
No comments:
Post a Comment